"It's not a matter of unemployment, we've just outgrown ourselves as a nation."

The Department of Immigration says it is currently finalizing a labor agreement with the meat industry to address the future recruitment of overseas workers.

It says it is arranging meetings with State Governments to consult on the matter.

During this year there have been a number of complaints by various business interests that Australian immigration is too restrictive, given the current economic boom of the country. Debate has taken place over whether or not to allow a so-called "semi-skilled" class of immigrant workers into the country to take jobs such as driving trucks, for exanple.